The European Commission has lifted a five-year moratorium on genetically modified produce, by allowing the sale in Europe of one type of modified corn. But the battle by producers of such crops to win governments’ and consumers’ acceptance is far from over0

After months of resistance, Aventis has finally agreed to merge with Sanofi. The deal follows intense pressure on both parties by the French government, which wants to create a national champion in pharmaceuticals. Novartis, a Swiss group that had seen itself as a possible white-knight bidder, is upset—as are some of Aventis's biggest shareholders0